Coexistence
By Donna and Abby

The girls from the Bride Ship were taken to the hotel for the night when it was obvious that they were all approaching exhaustion - even Hope, the budding socialite. Most of the girls fell on to the beds, not even bothering to undress. Come morning they would go about the business of finding places to live.

After the girls were all escorted away, the two resident clerics, Fathers Alec and Ralph, invited McBain to stay with them in the Rectory next to the Mission.

McBain nodded politely - he was also very tired - but his eyes scanned the streets.  "Are there no Protestant churches in town?" he asked.

"There is a little church building on the other side of town," Father Alec told him. "But it is empty and not being used."

McBain smiled when he heard this.  "That will do fine for my needs," he said.  "Come tomorrow, I will go and look it over."

"If there is anything we can do to help you, just ask," Alec offered. Up to this point, anyone who wanted to go church had come to the services at the mission, regardless of their denomination. With the coming of McBain, it looked like that would no longer
be the case.

At the same time, more choices could be a good thing, and perhaps someone who would not feel comfortable in a Catholic Mission might come, instead, to a Protestant church.

The two men led the way to the Rectory, where McBain was offered a small, but comfortably furnished room. "Breakfast is at eight, but sleep in if you need to."
They then left the new minister to settle in for the night.

He was up fairly early the next day, anxious to see his new church.  Amazingly, the women of his flock were also abroad, looking into the empty homes that lined Edan's streets.

The MacDonald girls took one near the Mission, but the other girls, all Protestant, drifted over closer to the little church where McBain would hold services.

It was a small town, though, so they were able to stay in touch, and being friends, they met in front of the general store or at other public places, as well as sharing tea with one another in their homes!

The Campbell girls wanted to get a farm so that they could tend the animals that came in the ship with them, but they had been discouraged by Methos and the other men from doing so. So, for the time being, the horses, cows and sheep were to be cared for at Farmer Grey's place.  The farms were well placed but spread out, and no one wanted them on their own with the possibility of Kronos' raiders still on the prowl.

So, as each set of sisters found a place of their own,their belongings, which had been brought up by wagon that morning from the dock, were all divided up.  John Blackthorn, the English pilot that was MacLeod's second in command, carried McBain's things to the
small cottage next to the church. "Glad to have you here, Reverend," he said with a grin. "It will be good to have a minister other than those papists here in town."

"I think," McBain said with a satisfied smile, "that between us we will be able to handle the spiritual needs of a town this size."

As he stepped out of his little house, he glanced at the one next door. Directing traffic at the front door was Temperance!

She caught his eye and then, looking down, said, "I thought you might want someone who knows how to look after a church nearby."  Temperance and her sister Blessing were the daughters of a minister, and had grown up seeing to the daily workings of his church.

McBain nodded politely.  "I should like that very much, Miss MacPherson," he said.  "And thank you." Then, before it got too awkward, he went back into his little cottage.

When it came close to lunchtime, Father Ralph walked across town, carrying a basket full of foodstuff for the new minister. "You are still welcome to eat dinner
with us tonight," he offered as he put down the basket on the old-fashioned drop leaf table that was in the tiny kitchen. "Alec is at the clinic right now. Apparently after we left last night, one of the men collapsed and is seriously ill. You might want to add him to your prayers. His name is Gideon."

"I shall do that, indeed," said McBain, but before he could answer about dinner, Blessing MacPherson appeared at the door. 

"Father McBain?  I was wondering if you would join Temperance and myself for supper?"

Ralph chuckled. "I imagine they will feed you a lot better than we can."

"Oh, I don't know about that," grinned Blessing.  "He might prefer your company, bein' after spendin' all those months with us aboard ships!"

"I know which one I would prefer," he said with a pleasant smile. "Father McBain, if there is anything else we can to help you get settled in, let us know, okay?"

He smiled, blushing slightly because he really did want to see Temperance again.  He was just so awkward around women that even Catholic men might be a better choice!  "Thank you, Father Ralph.  I appreciate all your kindness."

"No problem," Ralph said. "Religious differences aside, when it comes down to it, we all part of the family of God." He reached out and shook McBain's hand. "We have all been brought here for one reason or another. Hopefully the good Lord will reveal the
reasons in His own time. 'Till then...." He bowed slightly, bidding Blessing a good day, and then he left, leaving them to get settled into their new homes.